FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Award-Winning Filmmaker and PD Advocate Robert Cochrane, PhD, Options Screenplay Rights to Matthew Moore’s Acclaimed Play What I Didn’t Say: A Journey through Parkinson's

Walnut Creek, CA — Robert Cochrane, PhD, an award-winning filmmaker, Parkinson’s disease (PD) advocate, and founder of the nonprofit Yes, And…Exercise!, has optioned the screenplay rights to Matthew Moore’s award-winning play, What I Didn’t Say. This compelling collaboration marks a significant moment in the intersection of the arts and health advocacy.

Dr. Robert Cochrane brings decades of experience in filmmaking and health-focused storytelling to this exciting new project. Known for his energetic keynote presentations and groundbreaking work in improvisation and storytelling as therapeutic tools for the Parkinson’s community, Dr. Cochrane continues to push creative boundaries. His award-winning documentary series Boys of Summer and his recent book, Acceptance, have been celebrated for their honesty, humor, and impact. 

Matthew Moore, an award-winning playwright, performer, and young-onset person with PD, brings a unique and important perspective to this collaboration. With an MFA in Classical Acting from George Washington University, Moore has written and performed six original works to wide acclaim, blending his personal journey with powerful storytelling. His play, “What I Didn’t Say,” continues to touch audiences across the nation with its profound exploration of identity, vulnerability, and resilience. A few reviews of the play include:

“One of the most real and effective activities for raising awareness I have ever seen, having worked in PD for 20 years.” – Josefa Domingos

“Extremely helpful in understanding my patients.” – Dr. Scott Magnuson, OhioHealth Neurologist

“I started crying at the beginning of the [play] and I just couldn't stop. We talked about PD that night like we never had before.” – Lisa Newcomb

The screenplay adaptation of “What I Didn’t Say” is in development through Dr. Cochrane’s Cinema Therapy program. The aim of this program is to help participants explore, discover and rewrite their personal narratives via the lens of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. All are welcome and more information is on the website, www.yesandexercise.org. 

Parkinson’s disease is the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world. The number of people diagnosed doubled from 1990-2015 and is expected to double again by 2040 unless we take significant action. It is also chronically mislabeled as solely a movement disorder. There is a recent movement in the research field to rebrand PD, recognizing there is much more to it than what we see on the surface. Moore’s play does a brilliant job of bringing forth the under-reported psychosocial, cognitive, and relationship challenges affiliated with PD. 

Dr. Cochrane and Moore’s partnership promises to amplify awareness and inspire dialogue about PD through the lens of cinema. The project aligns with their shared mission of transforming adversity into artistry and fostering a deeper understanding of the human experience.

For Media Inquiries:Robert Cochrane, Founder, Yes, And…eXercise! (a 501(c)3 nonprofit org.), yesandexercise@gmail.com, 702-575-8841

About Robert Cochrane, PhD:Dr. Cochrane is an award-winning filmmaker and advocate for the Parkinson’s disease community. He founded Yes, And…eXercise! to empower people with Parkinson’s through improvisation and storytelling. His filmography includes the acclaimed Boys of Summer documentary series (www.bosmovie.com), and his book Acceptance is available now on Amazon.

About Matthew Moore:Matthew Moore is a celebrated playwright, performer, and educator living with young-onset Parkinson’s disease. With over 20 years of teaching and performing experience, Moore continues to inspire audiences with his award-winning works and advocacy. (https://www.lampandlightproductions.com/parkinsons-play)

Originally Published on https://www.yesandexercise.org/

Robert Cochrane, PhD Yes, And...eXercise!

Dr. Robert Cochrane is a graduate of UNLV's Integrated Health Sciences department. He's researching the effect of improvisation and storytelling on Parkinson’s disease. He received grants from the Parkinson's Foundation and support from the Davis Phinney Foundation along the way. He is a popular, unique and high energy Keynote speaker, bringing joy, optimism and practical tools for people in the PD community to thrive today.

He has a background in filmmaking, with the Artisan Entertainment release, The Playaz Court, and two Stephen King-based short films among his credits. His father, Dan, was diagnosed with PD in 2001, which shifted Robert’s artistic lens to health. He made his first documentary, the award-winning Boys of Summer in 2004. There are two follow up films in the series with the fourth film coming in 2023.

He moved his family back to Walnut Creek, CA, where he grew up. He lives there with his beautiful wife, two teenagers who are, indeed, "all that" and is a proud care partner for his amazing parents.